15/10/2012 (The Star) - The following factors are likely to influence Malaysian palm oil futures and other vegetable oil markets on Monday. FUNDAMENTALS

Malaysian palm oil futures ended lower on Friday after the government announced tax cuts that will only take effect from Jan. 1, as traders had expected a more immediate policy.

U.S. soybeans fell more than 1 percent in early trade on Monday, hitting the lowest since the start of July, as grains fell across the board for a second session on waning supply fears and weaker export figures.

Brent crude prices fell more than $1 a barrel on Friday, outpacing losses on U.S. crude and deflating the spread between the two contracts after it hit the widest level in a year this week. MARKET NEWS

Asian shares eased on Monday as growth concerns prevailed ahead of the third-quarter corporate earnings season.

Commodities mostly posted losses in trading on Friday and were generally lower on the week as slowing global growth crimped demand for raw materials. - Reuters